Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez scored two targets every as Liverpool prolonged their lead on the high of the Premier League desk to 5 factors by brushing apart in-form Bournemouth 4-0 on their very own patch.
After a tense first half, which Bournemouth arguably shaded, Nunez netted his one hundredth profession objective by ending off a slick Liverpool transfer 4 minutes after half-time.
Jurgen Klopp then made one other impactful substitution as Cody Gakpo got here off the bench to arrange Jota for the guests’ second objective on the break with 20 minutes to go, earlier than the Portuguese winger scored a scientific third 10 minutes later.
Then, with Bournemouth all the way down to 10 males on account of harm, Nunez completed clinically from Joe Gomez’s cross to spherical off the scoring – as Liverpool confirmed there may be life with out Mohamed Salah, presently out with a hamstring harm on Africa Cup of Nations responsibility with Egypt.
The one blot on the afternoon was a probably worrying harm to Curtis Jones, who limped off within the latter levels simply three days earlier than Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg away at Fulham, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
However the method of the outcome, with Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke saved quiet as nicely, was the most recent instance to show why Liverpool – lacking Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai right here – are able to taking the Premier League title away from Manchester Metropolis this season.
WATCH: Liverpool’s scientific targets at Bournemouth
A four-midable day for Liverpool
Bournemouth got here into the sport as essentially the most in-form Premier League staff during the last eight video games and commenced it stuffed with confidence.
A sensible brief nook noticed Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie play a one-two alongside the byline, with the previous forcing Alisson into a wise save on the close to submit.
Liverpool then stepped on the gasoline and took management of the center of the half. Alexis Mac Allister had two long-range efforts, one whistling vast of the far submit and the opposite straight at Neto. Luis Diaz and Nunez each put related efforts straight down the Bournemouth goalkeeper’s throat.
Justin Kluivert escaped severe punishment for a excessive sort out on Diaz – which VAR didn’t take a look at – earlier than the Cherries winger long-established one of the best likelihood of the primary half.
Kluivert acquired to the byline and pulled a cross again in the direction of Solanke and Christie, with neither capable of apply a goalscoring contact from shut vary.
Liverpool made Bournemouth pay for not taking that likelihood simply 4 minutes after half-time. The spectacular Ibrahima Konate performed a shocking move into Jones, who discovered Jota with a slick move within the field.
Jota rolled the ball to Nunez in house – and never even the much-maligned ahead may miss from there.
Bournemouth tried to reply immediately however Kluivert’s shot from the sting of the field was deflected over. On the different finish, younger Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley noticed a header deflected vast, then had a shot well-saved by Neto from the ensuing set-piece.
However Liverpool did finally make it two with 20 minutes to go. As Jota received the ball within the half-way line, fed Nunez, acquired on the tip of Gakpo’s move to complete on the close to submit – by way of assist from the woodwork.
Solanke fired straight at Alisson as Bournemouth looked for a method again however Jota ended the hosts’ hopes as Bradley crossed for the Liverpool ahead who miscued together with his first try earlier than scoring together with his second.
Klopp had some nervy moments as Jones limped off, then Bournemouth substitute David Brooks put a one-on-one vast.
However the final chortle went to Nunez as he stretched and linked with Gomez’s late cross from the proper to attain from in off the submit. A four-midable day for the Merseysiders.
What’s subsequent?
Bournemouth’s subsequent recreation is at residence to Swansea within the FA Cup fourth spherical on Thursday January 25; kick-off 7.45pm.
The Cherries then journey to West Ham within the Premier League on Thursday February 1; kick-off 7.30pm.
Liverpool are subsequent in motion at Fulham within the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with Jurgen Klopp’s aspect taking a 2-1 lead into the match on Wednesday January 24, dwell on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 8pm.
Liverpool then host Norwich within the FA Cup fourth spherical on Sunday January 28; kick-off 2.30pm.